PMA cadet dies due to illness

Joel Guinto, Vincent Cabreza
INQUIRER.net, Northern Luzon Bureau
11/07/2007


MANILA, Philippines -- A fourth year cadet of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) died due to "suspected upper respiratory tract infection" ahead of his graduation and commissioning into the military service, a spokesman for the academy said Tuesday.

Cadet First Class Reenan Ferrer, 22, died at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, said Captain Dennis Solomon.

Ferrer would have graduated with the PMA Baghawi Class in March 2008, not Masiglahi as posted earlier. Fresh graduates are commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army and Air Force or ensigns in the Navy.

On November 1, while on All Souls’ Day break, Ferrer was brought to the Perpetual Help Hospital in his hometown in Las Piñas City due to an "on and off fever," the spokesman said.

He was later referred to the AFP Medical Center, where he suffered "several episodes of seizure," Solomon said.

"The family of Cadet Ferrer consented for an autopsy to establish the final diagnosis of his death," he said.

"Our efforts now are focused on helping his family," he said, adding PMA Superintendent Major General Leopoldo Maligalig sent two officers and an enlisted man to assist the family.

Maligalig described the death as a “very tragic loss” since he had four months left to graduation.

Cadet Fourth Class John Limuel Burcer, 17, also died at the AFP Medical Center on May 8, after being confined for coughing and fever.

In September this year, Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Ariel Toledo, PMA valedictorian in 2006, died of cancer, which he had been battling since he received his commission.

PMA officials said 11 other cadets were confined briefly at the PMA Station Hospital this year for various illnesses.

Major General Leopoldo Maligalig, PMA superintendent, said he was surprised by Ferrer's death. "It was a very tragic loss. [Ferrer had] four months left to graduation. We're checking what caused his illness," he said.




http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=99385